Next-generation ocean current forecasting to improve maritime safety . This project aims to measure upper ocean currents at scales of 10-100 km in Australia's marine estate using pioneering satellite radar technology. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission will map currents at 10 times the resolution of present-day satellites and revolutionise our understanding of ocean dynamics. Expected outcomes include validation of SWOT data in Australian waters and merging this data into Bure ....Next-generation ocean current forecasting to improve maritime safety . This project aims to measure upper ocean currents at scales of 10-100 km in Australia's marine estate using pioneering satellite radar technology. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission will map currents at 10 times the resolution of present-day satellites and revolutionise our understanding of ocean dynamics. Expected outcomes include validation of SWOT data in Australian waters and merging this data into Bureau of Meteorology ocean models. Downstream benefits include improved ocean forecasts for maritime safety, search-and-rescue, spill modelling, and marine conservation. At the same time, the project will build sovereign capability in emerging remote sensing technology with a legacy beyond the life of the SWOT mission.Read moreRead less
Where Should I Farm My Oysters? Does Natural Cadmium Distribution Restrict Oyster Farm Site Selection In The Northern Territory?
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$123,272.00
Summary
RD&E that addresses critical hurdles to Aboriginal capacity and enterprise development (e.g. quality assurance strategies) have been identified as priority areas of the NT RAC and the Indigenous Reference Group (IRG). NT Fisheries has been conducting research to support Aboriginal aspirations to establish tropical oyster farms in the Northern Territory (NT).
Heavy metals have been a longstanding concern as an impediment to the development of a tropical oyster industry. Cadmium (Cd) bioa ....RD&E that addresses critical hurdles to Aboriginal capacity and enterprise development (e.g. quality assurance strategies) have been identified as priority areas of the NT RAC and the Indigenous Reference Group (IRG). NT Fisheries has been conducting research to support Aboriginal aspirations to establish tropical oyster farms in the Northern Territory (NT).
Heavy metals have been a longstanding concern as an impediment to the development of a tropical oyster industry. Cadmium (Cd) bioaccumulates in the tissue of oysters, and unlike E. coli or toxic algae, has a long depuration period. As a result Cd levels are a major determining factor on the saleability of farmed tropical oysters. McConchie, D.M & Lawrance, L.M (1991) and FRDC Project 2012-223 identified high Cd concentrations, which varied considerably across locations and water depth, in blacklip oysters (Saccostrea echinata) at location in Shark Bay, WA and South Goulburn Island, NT respectively. Following these projects naturally occurring heavy metals have been a presumed barrier to the establishment of an oyster industry in the NT, due predominantly to the exceedance of Cd trigger levels in the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ).
However, recent testing on market sized oysters farmed on long line trials at Pirlangimpi on Tiwi Islands have not shown high heavy metal concentrations and complied with the FSANZ. This suggests that Cd exceedance may not be an issue in all locations. We propose a multi-location survey of blacklip oyster (Saccostrea echinata) heavy metal concentrations across the NT to identify the best locations for commercialisation of this emerging aquaculture species. With the aim of identifying locations, like Pirlangimpi, that could produce oysters that comply with the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ). The results are needed to inform the development of a NT tropical oyster industry and the establishment of a NT shellfish quality assurance program. Objectives: 1. Map the distribution and concentration of Cadmium in wild blacklip oysters across the Northern Territory. 2. Aboriginal communities better understand the role of shellfish quality assurance programs and the implications of Cadmium on oyster farming. 3. Risks associated with Cadmium are better understood and inform the development of a NT Shellfish Quality Assurance Program. 4. Knowledge is shared and retained through Aboriginal participation in the research project. Read moreRead less
Development Of Technical And Extension Material To Support Murray Cod Aquaculture Industry Expansion In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
The 5 July 2017 meeting of representatives from the various States involved in the Murray Cod industry agreed to three key R&D priorities to support expansion of the Murray Cod industry in Australia. They included:
1. Development of a farm management plan/manual to: provide advice on optimising production systems and water quality; review and update of existing Murray Cod culture guidelines using recent relevant publications and input from commercial operators; and identify any informa ....The 5 July 2017 meeting of representatives from the various States involved in the Murray Cod industry agreed to three key R&D priorities to support expansion of the Murray Cod industry in Australia. They included:
1. Development of a farm management plan/manual to: provide advice on optimising production systems and water quality; review and update of existing Murray Cod culture guidelines using recent relevant publications and input from commercial operators; and identify any information gaps 2. Off Flavour. Review of recent publications/work from other sectors (eg Barramundi) to prevent off flavor in Murray Cod. Murray Cod quality product assurance; and 3. Fish health and treatment (parasites, bacterial infection, Lurnea, Chilodonella, ratty tail). Review and update information on treatment options (chronic/prophylactic) for Murray Cod. Murray Cod health management strategy
This project proposal aims to address these high R&D industry priorities by developing a range of technical and extension material.
The Murray Cod industry is developing rapidly in Australia increasing from 250t 2014/15 to over 500t 2016/17. Industry forecast several thousand tonnes production by 2020 with many new farms seeking approval and new franchise business models moving forward. To capitalise on this expansion, there is a pressing need to improve extension resources.
Objectives: 1. Development of best practice production guidelines for Murray Cod aquaculture, to be used nationally 2. Extension to industry, and new investors, of the best practice production guidelines Read moreRead less
Review Of Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety Legislation
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$36,500.00
Summary
This industry consultation needs to be collated to assist the Australian seafood industry provide a nationally co-ordinated and well-informed response to a review of AMSA legislation.
There is a need for a nationally co-ordinated and well-informed seafood industry response to a review of the AMSA legislation. SIA has engaged with industry nationally and the need to respond in a collective submission that is reflective of the views of Australia’s seafood industry
In addition, ....This industry consultation needs to be collated to assist the Australian seafood industry provide a nationally co-ordinated and well-informed response to a review of AMSA legislation.
There is a need for a nationally co-ordinated and well-informed seafood industry response to a review of the AMSA legislation. SIA has engaged with industry nationally and the need to respond in a collective submission that is reflective of the views of Australia’s seafood industry
In addition, there is a need for subsequent interpretation of the outputs from the AMSA legislation review to aid industry in understanding the implications of the findings. This industry consultation needs to be collated to assist the Australian seafood industry provide a nationally co-ordinated and well-informed response to a review of AMSA legislation.
Objectives: 1. Engage a range of seafood industry representatives (individuals and organisations) in provision of input to a consolidated SIA response to the AMSA Legislation Review 2. Understand and report on industry issues associated with the application and content of the AMSA legislation 3. Provide advice to SIA to inform a national response to the AMSA legislation review Read moreRead less
To Develop A National Marine Safety Extension Resource Toolkit And To Trial With All Fisheries Jurisdictions
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
There have been significant resources (financial and physical) allocated to workplace health and safety (including mental health, training and systems for data collection) over the last 15 years in the commercial fishing industry .However the majority have been “stand alone" and there has been limited extension for the wider industry to adopt. Although there have been some positive moves in the area of health and safety such as the SRL Clean Green program and the Spencer Gulf Prawn fishery, ther ....There have been significant resources (financial and physical) allocated to workplace health and safety (including mental health, training and systems for data collection) over the last 15 years in the commercial fishing industry .However the majority have been “stand alone" and there has been limited extension for the wider industry to adopt. Although there have been some positive moves in the area of health and safety such as the SRL Clean Green program and the Spencer Gulf Prawn fishery, there has largely been a “silo” approach to the various initiatives across the commercial fishing industry and a real lack of coordination that can lead to a lack of communication, adoption and the lack of visibility of tools to those that need it. This is due in part to the nature of the industry that tends (overall) not to have the willingness to adopt something that another fishery has implemented, fragmentation of industry in some states and within a fishery. Additionally, the absence of a peak national body until June 2017 also created a gap for driving nationwide issues including workplace safety and health initiatives. Through the building of these networks and the establishment of on the ground champion in each state to influence industry including the building of capacity/ resources within the peak bodies to embrace workplace health and safety on behalf of their members, improved awareness and adoption of safety programs should occur. To do this State peak bodies require support to enable them to add value for their members and therefore utilise existing and currently funded research and develop extension processes.It is unknown to what level industry uptake of the current AMSA requirements for a safety management system (SMS) has occurred. It is not well understood by industry that the existence of a SMS to meet AMSA requirements only goes half way for legal compliance. Each states Worksafe body also has legislation that requires compliance with safe work practices. It is desirable to produce a SMS that meets both sets of legislation and develop a tool that can be used to assess the uptake of the initiatives through the peak bodies as well as developing a robust set of statistics to benchmark the performance. Objectives: 1. To build capability in each jurisdiction industry council for the development of a safety management system toolkit based on gear type/fishery type for implementation across industry 2. To develop processes to ensure existing and future projects including LMS ( 2017-194) and Barriers to Adoption ( 2017-046) are integrated into objective 1 above 4. To develop a national “champions” network for workplace/ marine safety to assist jurisdictional bodies communicate and champion the safety message 5. To ensure current and previous marine safety RD&E projects are linked and collaborate effectively to achieve increased levels of extension 6. To develop a tool and estimate wild catch fisheries accident statistics ( historical) and to provide a system and a benchmark to measure future performance of accident statistics Read moreRead less
Investigation Of The Direct And Indirect Role Of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) On Western Rock Lobster Settlement Processes: With Consideration Of The Potential Role Of Contaminants
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$237,535.00
Summary
In Western Australia, the positive and negative effects of SGD in marine benthic communities remains unknown. In Marmion Lagoon, SGD is known to supply up to 50% of the nutrients required for the macrophyte growth rates observed (Johannes and Hearn 1985). Freshwater input has been observed to positively impact seagrass germination (Xu et al., 2016), and although no similar studies exist for temperate seagrass species in the southern hemisphere, SGD may have a role in the creation, maintenance an ....In Western Australia, the positive and negative effects of SGD in marine benthic communities remains unknown. In Marmion Lagoon, SGD is known to supply up to 50% of the nutrients required for the macrophyte growth rates observed (Johannes and Hearn 1985). Freshwater input has been observed to positively impact seagrass germination (Xu et al., 2016), and although no similar studies exist for temperate seagrass species in the southern hemisphere, SGD may have a role in the creation, maintenance and augmentation of seagrass beds. The direct influence of SGD on puerulus settlement rates is unknown but freshwater discharge has been shown to be positively correlated with crab larval abundance (Boylan and Wenner, 1993). An ongoing FRDC project (2016-260: Assess causes and implications of anomalous low lobster catch rates) has demonstrated post-puerulus western rock lobster exhibit a strong choice for the chemical signature of seagrass (Brooker et al. in prep). These findings suggest that SGD may affect puerulus settlement rates either directly through chemotaxis or indirectly by impacting the density of seagrass meadows. Hence, there is a need to investigate both the role of SGD and the presence of seagrass on puerulus settlement rates. Land derived contaminants potentially impacting puerulus settlement and survival could include heavy metals and endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as flame-retardants or pesticides targeting insects (McKenney, 1999). Adult lobster have been shown to be repelled by the presence of copper (McLeese, 1975) and both flame-retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ethers - PBDEs) (Davies and Zou, 2012) and various insecticides (Ghekiere et al., 2005) have been shown to disrupt moulting in marine crustacea. Alkylphenol pollution was implicated in a major die-off of the American lobster (Homarus americanus) population that occurred in Long Island Sound in 1999, with acute impact on post-puerulus mortality during moulting (Laufer et al., 2013). There is a need to investigate both the occurrence and concentration of likely contaminants at potential source locations within the Western Rock Lobster fishery and assess their impact on post-puerulus survival.
Objectives: 1. Identify areas of significant submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) nearby established western rock lobster settlement monitoring sites. 2. Investigate the direct role of SGD on western rock lobster settlement rates. 3. Investigate the link between SGD and the extent and condition of important lobster habitat (e.g. seagrass). 4. Identify and map input of contaminants by SGD in key fishery areas. 5. Investigate impact of contaminants on the survival of puerulus and post-puerulus lobster. Read moreRead less
Risk Profile For Paralytic Shellfish Toxins In Tasmanian Periwinkles
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$180,504.00
Summary
Recurrent harmful algal blooms in Tasmanian waters (Gymnodinium in the South and Alexandrium on the East Coast) have impacted Oyster, Mussel, Abalone and Rock Lobster industries, necessitating the implementation of biotoxin monitoring programs and harvest closures during high risk periods. It is currently unknown whether Periwinkles can accumulate paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) from Tasmanian microalgal blooms and a conservative risk management approach has been taken thus far to protect both ....Recurrent harmful algal blooms in Tasmanian waters (Gymnodinium in the South and Alexandrium on the East Coast) have impacted Oyster, Mussel, Abalone and Rock Lobster industries, necessitating the implementation of biotoxin monitoring programs and harvest closures during high risk periods. It is currently unknown whether Periwinkles can accumulate paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) from Tasmanian microalgal blooms and a conservative risk management approach has been taken thus far to protect both public health and market access.
Unlike bivalve shellfish, Abalone and Rock Lobster, there is currently no clearly defined biotoxin management plan for Periwinkles in Tasmania. As grazers, Periwinkles are loosely grouped with Urchins and Abalone, the latter of which are a proven PST risk. This Abalone biotoxin sampling plan is triggered when Tasmanian Shellfish Market Access Program (ShellMAP) closes bivalve harvest areas due to PST risk. In a conservative approach, the current recommendation is PST analysis of 20 pooled Periwinkles per Abalone block on at least a monthly basis to maintain market access. This presents a considerable cost burden to the small dive fishery and interrupts harvest operations, as PST sampling of Periwinkles is required if elevated PST are detected in Abalone, which are known to hold onto PST for longer time periods in between blooms (years).
To date, the vast majority of Periwinkle samples that have been analysed for PST were collected from weak or no bloom years or regions. Evidence from French tank trials exposing the common European Periwinkle (Littorina littorea) to Alexandrium minutum cysts containing PST showed significant toxin uptake (0.2 mg PST/kg) within six days of exposure (Neves et al, 2015). It remains unknown whether commercially harvested Tasmanian Periwinkles (Lunella undulata) are at risk of PST accumulation and if the current conservative monitoring approach is commensurate to risk. In such scenarios, risk managers will commonly outsource a preliminary risk assessment (known as a risk profile). Risk profiles are an important tool for risk managers and industry. They provide a summary of all information pertinent to food safety associated with the specific hazard/food combination. The purpose of a risk profile is to assist initial risk management activities, such as identifying future actions required (if any), and the options for food safety management programs. They also inform the level of resourcing required to control the hazard/food pairing.
This project will deliver an urgently required risk profile for PST in Periwinkles to inform future actions (if any) and provide options for cost-effective food safety management programs. This profile will: 1. Determine the risk of PST accumulation in Periwinkles in Tasmania as a result of harmful microalgal blooms during high risk exposures at peak algal bloom densities in the field and in tank trials. 2. Outline potential management options and knowledge gaps, should risk management be necessary. This includes an assessment of whether the bivalve PST regulatory limit is appropriate to use in Periwinkle risk management (currently based on shellfish serving size of 100-400g) and the spatial variability associated with sampling.
References Neves, Raquel AF, et al. "Responses of the common periwinkle Littorina littorea to exposure to the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum." Journal of Molluscan Studies 81.2 (2015): 308-311.
Objectives: 1. Determine whether Tasmanian Periwinkles can bioaccumulate PST from Alexandrium and/or Gymnodinium microalgal blooms during both field and laboratory exposures. 2. Identify the most suitable size of biotoxin management zones for Periwinkles. 3. Assess whether the use of the bivalve PST regulatory limit is appropriate for Periwinkles by conducting a literature search and consumption survey. 4. Generate a risk profile for PST in Tasmanian wild caught Periwinkles and provide guidance for risk management. Read moreRead less
Contextualising Shellfish Food Safety In Northern Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$147,000.00
Summary
The emerging edible oyster industry in northern Australia involves Aboriginal communities, industry and governments and is working towards improvements in productions systems, biosecurity and capacity development. Initial volumes produced by this developing industry are likely to be small scale, targeting local markets, however there is significant potential to expand overtime to service the broader Australian and international markets.
To enable industry access to supply these markets ....The emerging edible oyster industry in northern Australia involves Aboriginal communities, industry and governments and is working towards improvements in productions systems, biosecurity and capacity development. Initial volumes produced by this developing industry are likely to be small scale, targeting local markets, however there is significant potential to expand overtime to service the broader Australian and international markets.
To enable industry access to supply these markets there is a need to ensure appropriate food safety. Preliminary shellfish quality assurance assessments have been conducted at oyster farming trials in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. However, there remains a gap in the knowledge of shellfish food safety risks and the most appropriate way to administer a shellfish food safety program in Northern Australia.
Information on the specific food safety risks in tropical Australia to inform the application or contextualise ASQAP in Northern Australia remains a gap. There is also a further need to consider how ASQAP can be applied to a developing industry in a remote context. Tropical Australia has unique challenges of temperature, environment, limited infrastructure and remoteness. The emerging tropical oyster industry requires an assessment of the risks and options to manage the sale of an initial small-scale production of farmed bivalve shellfish produced in Northern Australia. Objectives: 1. Perform an assessment of food safety concerns and associated risks in tropical Australia 2. Provide recommendations on appropriate harvest area classification systems (based on water and/or meat results) and monitoring and risk management protocols for oyster farming in tropical Australian environmental and remote contexts 3. Develop models for shellfish food safety programs in tropical Australian conditions Read moreRead less